Run With The Devil

The Dance

Denos pov

I smirked, extending my hand with a flourish. "May I have this dance, my lady?" I asked, affecting a posh tone.

Lyra turned to face me, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief. She tilted her head and gave a sarcastic smile. "Oh, I'm still waiting for my man to offer his hand," she said, teasingly.

I chuckled, amused by her response. Without missing a beat, I wrapped my arm around her waist and gently pulled her close. She looked up at me, her smirk widening as she remarked, "It's about time you acted like yourself."

With a grin, I guided her to the center of the room. As the music began to play, a lively waltz that seemed to fill the space with its rhythm, the other couples around us twirled gracefully. But with Lyra, I intended to make our dance stand out.

We began to move together, the rhythm guiding our steps. I kept my hold firm yet gentle, ensuring she felt secure against me. I whispered compliments into her ear as we danced, my words mixing with the melody.

"You look absolutely breathtaking tonight," I said, twirling her with a flourish. "Like a princess in a fairy tale."

Lyra's cheeks flushed slightly, and she responded with a playful glint in her eyes. "You're not so bad yourself, though I suspect you're enjoying this more than you let on."

I laughed softly, pulling her closer as we continued our dance. The other guests seemed to fade into the background as we moved together. I spun her around, letting her dress flare out like a swirl of deep red silk. Then I brought her back to me, pressing her gently against my chest.

The music changed, its tone becoming more sensual and slow. I adjusted our position, holding her hand and guiding her through a more intimate dance. Our bodies moved in sync, the rhythm making our closeness feel almost electric.

I dipped her slowly, her head falling back as she laughed lightly, clearly enjoying the moment. I held her lower back firmly as I lifted her back up, our faces now mere inches apart. Her breath mingled with mine, our lips almost touching.

We locked eyes, a charged silence passing between us as the music continued to play. The dance floor seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of us in our own world. I struggled to maintain control, trying my best not to pull her into a more passionate kiss.

"You're a vision tonight, Lyra," I murmured, my voice low and sincere. "Every move you make is captivating."

She smiled up at me, her eyes reflecting the same intensity. "You're quite the charmer, Deon. But I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying this."

As the final notes of the music played, I held her close, our faces still close enough that I could feel her warmth. The dance had been more than just a performance; it had been a moment of connection and closeness that neither of us wanted to end.

Finally, I took a step back, offering her a respectful bow. "Thank you for the dance, my lady. It has been my pleasure."

Lyra curtsied gracefully, her eyes never leaving mine. "The pleasure was all mine, sir," she replied, her voice teasing yet warm.

As we walked off the dance floor, hand in hand, the night felt like it had only just begun.

Lyras pov

I chuckled softly as I pointed out Harper and Angelo on the dance floor. Angelo was twirling Harper around, and despite her best efforts, Harper almost lost her balance. Angelo caught her in a swift motion, and I couldn't help but bury my face against Deon's shoulder to stifle my laughter. His warm laughter against my cheek made me smile despite my discomfort.

As I was getting back to my composure, I noticed a family approaching us. They weren't part of Deon's usual crowd but were clearly allies. Among them was a young girl, who seemed to have her eyes locked on Deon with a mix of admiration and frustration. She was tugging at her father's sleeve, clearly determined to have him speak to Deon.

Deon, ever the gentleman, declined with a polite smile. "I'm sorry, but I'm occupied at the moment."

The man didn't take the hint. "Come on, Deon. It's just a dance. Surely you can spare a few minutes?"

Deon's eyes flicked to me, and he smirked. "My girlfriend wouldn't be too happy seeing me dance with another woman."

I felt a warm flush creep across my face, a mix of embarrassment and pleasure at his possessive remark. I glanced down, unsure of how to respond.

The girl's face fell, and she began muttering harshly. "She's not even pretty. Look at her scars-what a mess," she said, her voice dripping with disdain as she pointed out the marks exposed by my dress.

I stiffened at her words, feeling a sharp sting. I wanted to cry, but I held back the tears, determined not to let her words affect me. I looked up to see Deon's expression darken.

"Is that really necessary?" Deon said, his voice icy. "I think you've crossed a line."

The man next to her looked uncomfortable but tried to deflect. "She didn't mean any harm. We're just trying to have a good time."

Deon's grip on my hand tightened, and his eyes were hard. "It's not about meaning harm. It's about respect. And clearly, you and your daughter lack it."

The girl tried to save face. "I didn't mean to-"

Deon cut her off. "No, you've made your point. It's time for you to leave."

I gently touched Deon's hand, trying to calm him. "Let it go, Deon," I said softly. "It's not worth it."

Deon's jaw tightened, but he took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. "Alright," he said, his voice still firm but softer. "Let's just forget this happened."

The family, clearly realizing they had overstepped, began to retreat. "We're sorry," the man said awkwardly. "We'll leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening."

As they walked away, I looked up at Deon. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that," I said quietly.

Deon turned to me, his expression softening. "It's not your fault. I just hate seeing people treat you that way."

I managed a small smile. "Thank you. I know it's not easy dealing with people like that."

Deon's gaze was tender as he took my hand in his. "You're strong, Lyra. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

I nodded, appreciating his support. "I'm trying. It just stings a bit, you know?"

Deon nodded in understanding. "I know. But remember, you have me. No one can hurt you when I'm around."

His words were comforting, and I felt a renewed sense of strength. "I'm glad you're here," I said, leaning into him. "It makes a big difference."

Deon's eyes were warm as he wrapped his arm around me. "Let's not let this ruin our night. We've got a masquerade to enjoy, and I intend to make the most of it with you."

I looked up at him, my smile returning. "That sounds perfect."

We moved back to the dance floor, and Deon's presence was a comforting shield against the earlier negativity. The music played on, and though the night had started on a rocky note, we were determined to make it enjoyable. With Deon by my side, I felt stronger and more resilient, ready to face whatever came next.